BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 9 - A CHRISTMAS GUIDE FOR A SPECIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE - BEST FACIALS FOR ALL SKIN TYPES FT. DECLÉOR

I recently had my very first facial and back massage done properly and I couldn't stress enough about how amazing it made me feel not only on the outside but on the inside too. I've been feeling very stressed out the past few weeks hence my lack of absence on social media and this blog (I do apologise to those who actually take their time to read my posts).
Because I work in the beauty industry, I had the opportunity to book myself for a facial and massage with Decléor for free which was amazing. At first, I was taken into the beauty room and asked to fill out a form which had a variety of skin problems/allergies etc. to fill out, so I circled my main concerns as prone to breakouts, acne scarring, redness, and oiliness. After I had filled out this form, I was asked to strip down to my knickers and cover myself in a towel and lay on my front. The masseuse then used oils to massage my back and put pressure onto my knots to get them out. You can only imagine how relaxed I had felt at this point, I do wear heels a lot so my back hurts quite a bit, but the way she relieved the pressure in my back has really helped.

Moving onto the facial, I don't exactly know what she did but I know it felt amazing during and after! I really loved the mousse cleanser and the phytopeel exfoliating peel which made my skin feel amazing. She also used this clay face mask on me which I really liked and ended up buying as she advised me to wear it overnight to have very fresh and soft skin in the morning. Overall, this was a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to book in for another treatment soon! I think one a month is vital for good skin health, and it's very affordable as you get your money back in products. I know for a fact that I'll be buying a full-size mousse cleanser and the exfoliating peel next.

Have you tried any Decléor products? Would you treat a loved one to a facial treatment?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 8 - WHAT I'M READING AT THE MOMENT - THE CHRISTMAS SECRET BY KAREN SWAN

I don't really like to read too much this time of the year as I find myself drowning in university deadlines and revision, however this year I picked up The Christmas Secret for half price at WHSmith's and I'm glad I did.
I find myself enjoying a light-read from time to time and this is a very heart-warming book. Obviously it is very girly, but that's the types of books I like to read when I'm feeling down, so I would highly recommend this one for anyone wanting a little bit of a festive romance.

This book is definitely for girl bosses who enjoy novels about powerful women kicking butts, and falling in love with the right (wrong?) men. I won't say much more as I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this is my current read and I am loving it so far!

What's your favourite festive read?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 7 - THE SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD

I was recently tagged in The Sunshine Blogger Award post by the lovely Chloe from Tints of Autumn. The rules are that you have to answer 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you, and then come up with your own 11 questions and nominate 11 bloggers, and so on and so forth.

Here are the questions I was asked to answer:

1. What is your favourite season and why?

I definitely love Autumn the most as it's still quite warm outside but there are no horrible bugs anywhere! I would usually say that Summer is my favourite season but I can't stand insects and other nasty creepy crawlies that come with it!!

2. Who's voice could you not live without?

My mum's ❤️

3. What do you love most about the blogging community?

I love how supportive some bloggers can be. It's so difficult to share your feelings and opinions online, but the blogging community makes me feel like I can open up to my readers and speak about important issues which need addressing.

4. What is your favourite blog post you've ever written and why? (link it!)

Erm, I don't particularly have a favourite post but if I had to pick one it would be my Rome Travel Guide, as it is definitely something I'd love to have read before I visited the capital. It took me a long time to write this guide and I am sort of proud of it, so do give it a read if you're planning on going to Italy, or have already been and want to compare our experiences!

5. What is the weirdest dream you've ever had?

Probably the one where I get chased by some weird monsters hahaha?? I don't know, all my dreams are weird tbh!

6. Where in the world would you most like to travel to?

Definitely anywhere in the USA. I'm hoping to go somewhere exciting next year, so finger's crossed!!

7. What did you last watch on Netflix (or the last thing you watched if you don't have it)

I think it was 5 Children & It? I've never seen it so it had to be done on Sunday afternoon with dinner! The last thing I watched that wasn't on Netflix was Grey's Anatomy on Amazon Prime - I started watching it from the beginning because I love this show.

8. Favourite lipstick shade and brand?

My favourite lipstick has to be Brave by MAC as it was my first luxurious lipstick and the shade really compliments my makeup, no matter what I wear.

9. The life motto you live by is...

Treat others as you'd like to be treated.

10. Who means the most to you?

Hmm. This is a tough question because there's a lot of people in my life who are very dear to me and mean the world so I can't just choose one. It'll have to be my family and boyfriend as they have helped me through difficult times and I couldn't be more grateful.

11. Sum up your life in one word.

Adventure.

Now you've read my answers, here are my questions:

1. What is your biggest achievement so far?

2. What was your favourite subject at school, and why?

3. If you could be an animal for a day, what would you be and why?

4. Have you ever found yourself in a writers' block?

5. How long have you been blogging for?

6. Do you think you could blog as a full-time job?

7. What career did you want to have when you were little?

8. What is your favourite memory from childhood?

9. Do you have a favourite beauty product that you swear by, if so, what is it?

10. Who's your favourite influencer and why?

11. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

The bloggers I nominate are:

Hannah from Luxury Blush

Kate from Kate Loves Makeup

Candice from The Blog Social

Kate from It's Kate Rose

Emma from Emma Lisa

Lauren from Lauren Ann Beauty

Isobelle from Isobelle Jane

Chloe from Coco V London

Katie from Life With KTKinnes

Abby from Abby Clare

Justine from Girl Gone Dreamer

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 6 - MINI CHRISTMAS HAUL

You might have already read my Blogmas Day 1 post and seen that I picked up a few lovely bits on one of my trips to Primark. Of course, I had to go back to see if they had brought out more festive goodies. I picked up the most gorgeous tea towels for only £3.50 and I couldn't be happier! I usually buy my tea towels from there anyway but these festive ones were a must-buy.

I also bought the cutest little gingerbread men tealights for around £2! I know for a fact that I'm going to feel awful when they start melting but they'll make amazing picture props in the meantime!
Anything to do with gingerbread screams 'festive' to me, so you can only imagine how excited I was to find such bargains! I really want to make my flat look very cosy this Christmas but I'm still waiting for some bits and bobs to arrive before I show you all my first ever Christmas decorations at my own place. They probably won't be as nice seeing as I'm currently trying to save up for a house so we're living on a budget until we can figure things out, but I'm excited to share with you the next days of Blogmas 2017!

What's your must-have Christmas decor?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 5 - MY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

I don't usually ask for much when it comes to Christmas presents as I have a part-time job so whatever I want/need I just pay for it myself, so you can imagine how difficult it was for me to come up with a Christmas list for 2017.

1) Thierry Mugler Aura Fragrance Set
I remember walking into Debenhams in the summer and coming across this beautiful and unique fragrance. I was on my way to get some euros for my holiday to Rome and the money office just happened to be right next to the fragrance department and of course, I took a detour...
I don't think I ever loved a fragrance as much as this one. Mugler's Alien is definitely one of my all-time favourite scents to wear this time of the year but since I ran out of it a few months ago I thought it was the perfect time to ask for this newbie to be added to my collection.

2) Lilo & Stitch Pandora Charm
Not sure if many of you know this already, but I used to work at the Disney Store for over 2 years and have recently left my position as a Cast Member. Disney was a big part of my childhood and I loved watching the movies as I was growing up, so you can only imagine how much I loved working for the company. I still feel very attached to the company and it will forever hold a special place in my heart, hence why I asked for a Disney Pandora charm this Christmas. I asked for this one in particular as I always loved the movie and my sister is my best friend, just like Lilo and Nani. Also, every time I'll look at my bracelet it'll remind me of my time working for Disney and my love for my Ohana.

3) Diptyque Candle 
Once, I was very close to buying one of these myself when I misheard the price of '£40' as '£14'... Come on now, £40 for a candle?! I don't think I'd ever spend this much on one myself but it's a great gift for home-makers. I'm currently looking into buying a house, so I want to start collecting nice bits and bobs for it which makes Christmas gifts a little bit easier. I also love Yankee and Bath and Body Works candles but they can get quite pricey. Another brand I love for luxurious candles is Jo Malone as they look so fancy and smell so good, plus I get some discount on them as I work for Estee Lauder Companies (win-win).

4) J. K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Book
Joanne is one of my favourite authors since I was about 6. I love her style of writing and thanks to her, my childhood was filled with much needed magic. I also admire her as a person, she's always striving for greatness and is pretty much a Twitter Queen. Anyway, going back to the book - I wanted to get it when the screenplay came out as I love the cover of it but I'd much rather have the original book, because if I wanted to know the screenplay then I'd just watch the film!

5) Urban Decay Ultimate Basics Palette
This palette has been on my list for ages now, and hopefully, I'll be able to get it for Christmas! If not, my birthday is in January so I can wait til then hahaha!! I love matte shadows and this palette is perfect for this time of the year.

What's on your Christmas wishlist this year?

Lots of love,

Maya xo